My Gym Edgewater Is the Family-Owned Kids Gym Our Neighborhood Needed
Okay so if you are raising a little one in Edgewater, Midtown, Downtown, Brickell or Wynwood, you already know the deal. Our buildings are full of families, strollers are everywhere, and yet when you go looking for somewhere your kid can actually run, climb and get their energy out while learning something, the list gets very short very fast. So when I got the chance to bring my son to My Gym Edgewater before their grand opening, I said yes immediately. And here is my truth, I am giving you the spoiler right up top, we are joining.
A Family Business Built by Parents, for Parents
The part of this that got me is the story behind it. My Gym Edgewater is owned by Ana and Mike , and they are local parents living right here in the neighborhood with us. Right after COVID their son was a year and a half old and they were looking for something, anything, to get him out of the house and around other kids. They found a My Gym in Aventura and they started making the drive. 45 minutes each way, for a 50 minute class.
Mike told me it was worth every single minute of that drive. That first class their son was not listening, he wanted to do his own thing, which honestly sounds exactly like my kid. But 2 or 3 weeks in, something clicked. He embraced the structure, he got stronger, he was playing with the other kids, listening to the teachers and enjoying “clean up time”. They watched it happen in real time, and then they could not stop thinking about the fact that nothing like it existed anywhere near home.
So they built it themselves. It took them over a year to find the right space and over another year to get permits and get approved by the city, which if you know anything about opening a business in Miami, is its own kind of marathon. Their son still takes classes there now, and they will tell you straight up that they are not just the owners, they are customers too. That is the kind of business I want to hand my money to.
The Team Behind the Fun
Mike said something during my visit that I have not stopped thinking about. He said there is a difference between good teachers and great teachers, and great is what they look for when they hire. And he is right, because these are the people who are going to be looking after our kids.
The gym is run by Ana and their director Mariana, who is a former senior Montessori teacher, and you can feel that background in how the classes are structured. They lead a team of 4 coaches, with diverse backgrounds such as competitive diving, gymnastics, martial arts, dancing and recreational coaching. Everybody there is well trained and it shows in the little things, in how they talk to the kids, in how the gym floor is run.
Our First Class at My Gym Edgewater
My son walked in and went straight for the trampoline, turned around, gave me 2 thumbs up, and had the time of his life. He loved being in class with the other kids, he loved his little group, and the 2 teachers running it were fantastic with him. When it was time to go he refused to leave until he had hugged everyone in the room, and yes that included the owners. That is my kid.
The space itself is beautiful and so well taken care of. When I say it is clean, I mean clean to the T. And you can feel the energy the second you walk in, it is positive and warm and nobody is rushing you.
More Than Gymnastics
Here is what really stood out to me. This is not a full blown gymnastics program where the goal is competition. What they are teaching is structure, discipline, positive reinforcement and positive affirmations, and those are the things my son gets to carry with him long after he ages out of the trampoline. And the stamp at the end of class, chef’s kiss, that was the cherry on top that made the whole thing unforgettable for him.
This is not your average franchise and it is not one of those studios where nobody is really paying attention and the kids just do whatever they want for 45 minutes. These people care. They care about the kids’ well-being and about giving them habits that stick.
Why I’m Telling You About It
I am giving this a 10 out of 10 and not because I am writing about it. I care about shining a light on neighborhood businesses that are actually building something for the families around them and doing it the right way. Family owned means the owners are in the room. It means their kid is in the class next to yours. It means when something is not right, the person who can fix it is standing right there. We do not get that everywhere anymore.
Grand Opening and the Trial Class
Their grand opening celebration is happening on September 26, and they offer an unlimited trial week for $29 for kids from babies all the way up to 7 years old. We will be there, so come say hi.
You can find My Gym Edgewater at 1601 NE 2nd Ave in Miami, and on IG and FB at @mygymedgewater.
Your Turn
Have you found a spot in Edgewater or Midtown that your kids actually love? Tell me in the comments, because I am always hunting for the next one. And if you try the trial week at My Gym Edgewater, come back and tell me how it went.
